Table of Contents

REF: Oiling & Lubrication

Oil Filter Comparison for Sportsters

57-79 Sportsters

Oil filter is placed on the return line.
57-78 XL/XLH Sportsters used drop in filters (with 'horse hair' filter media) in the oil tank.
XLCH models were not factory equipped with an oil filter.
Modern drop in filter media replacements will require you to shorten the dipstick unless you find a “horse hair” type. 1)

79 models had a new oil tank with no filter.
An optional external oil filter kit (63801-79) 2) with a chrome filter could be purchased from the MoCo.